Tuesday, July 26, 2022—Today is the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. Mangroves are unique ecosystems found on our coasts, demarcating the boundary between land and sea (UNESCO). One-third of Puerto Rico’s mangroves are located within the San Juan Bay estuary watershed. These attract a lot of biodiversity. They serve as a breeding space for fish and crustaceans and are also home to species such as the fishing bat.
Mangrove forests also contribute to the protection of coastal communities. These form natural barriers against storm surges and atmospheric phenomena. They also prevent the erosion of our coasts. They can absorb large amounts of carbon, thus helping to mitigate climate change and its effects.
Therefore, the restoration and management of our mangroves is part of our Certification for Citizen Scientists Program’s Coastal Resilience module. Learn more about the Program, certification process and its thematic modules, in https://estuario.org/certification-for-citizen-scientists/.
Actions aimed at the restoration, conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems are aligned with THE UN’s Sustainable Development Goals #14 and 15: underwater life and terrestrial ecosystem life.
